Blood Pressure

[Macca1]

Can thyroid under medication lead to elevated blood pressure?

Had my levo reduced last year and since then have noticed many under active markers ie hair loss; reflux; eyebrow loss; tummy bigger etc etc

Had my thyroid checked last week and results were as follows: I've shown results after thyroid reduction and then before. It was 100 every day now alternative 100 then 75

serum folate. 10.8. (3.0- 20.0). serum folate. 6.0. (3.0-20.0)

serum ferritin 70.8 (30-336) serum ferritin 70.5 ( 30-336)

serum B12. 708 (180-900). serum B12 442 (180-900)

serum TSH. 1.01 (0.30-4.20) serum TSH 0.77 (0.30 - 4.20)

serum. Free T4 14.8 (9.0-19.0) serum Free T4 15.8 (9.0- 19.0)

serum Free T3. 3.7 (3-5.4) serum Free T3 4.5 (3 - 5.4)

My TSH has been all over the place and usually at the lower end of the scale and sometimes below bottom end. Think that's why they wanted to lower my dosage. However I have been feeling so very tired most of the time with heavy legs etc. Would like to if possible ascertain if thyroid is the issue or its something else!

I know you people are so knowledgeable and your thoughts would help

Many thanks

Helen

[FancyPants54]

Higher blood pressure is a hypo symptom. Given the other symptoms you have listed you need to go back to the GP and tell them you need your prescription reinstating because it's reduction has reduced your quality of life.

You probably needed a dose increase at the time it was lowered. But one step at a time.

[Macca1 in reply to FancyPants54]

T hanks for those comments. Off to Gp imminently. Will try and get dosage reinstalled but wonder why you say it was too low to begin with? I had abnormal results several times and that's why they wanted to reduce dosage but I can't say its made me feel any better or more energised - quite the reverse!

Thanks

[greygoose in reply to Macca1]

When you say 'abnormal' results, results of what? TSH? Because your doctor should not, ever, be dosing by the TSH. Once it gets below 1 it is irrelevant and a very poor indicator of thyroid status.

It doesn't matter if your TSH is low. It's low because your pituitary has decided you don't need it. It does not automatically mean that you are over-medicated.

The most important number is the FT3, and yours is now far too low and you are hypo again, regardless of the TSH. And that's why your blood pressure has risen.

Always refuse to reduce your dose based on a TSH reading. That is not how hypo should be treated.

[Macca1 in reply to greygoose]

That is so interesting! Dr is definitely treating on TSH basis I'm afraid. However he has agreed to increase my dosage from 100/75 on alternate days to M-F 100 and S/S 75. Hopefully that will help! Also wanted to treat my reflux with PPI meds. I did try and tell him that Hypo people often have low stomach acids to begin with! I'm hoping they don't try and drop meds again in x2 months time. We shall see. I have so much more confidence in this site than my surgery tbh

[greygoose in reply to Macca1]

With reason! The average GP knows zilch about thyroid. They haven't a clue! You just have to put your foot down and say no when something seems wrong - like reducing a dose based on a low TSH and ignoring the low FT3!

[Tina_Maria]

Yes, low thyroid hormones is connected to high blood pressure, as it can increase vascular resistance in the arteries, so your heart has to work harder to pump the blood around the body and hence the pressure will rise.

Even if your GP doses by TSH, in both readings the TSH was within the range, so there was no need to lower any medication in the first place! I would also insist on reinstating the previous dose immediately and you may actually need an increase down the line as well.

You should also work to increase folate and Vitamin B12 - are you taking a good Vitamin B complex? The serum ferritin could also do with being higher - have you had an iron panel previously to check your free iron? How is your Vitamin D?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

no vitamin D test result

on 100/75 alternate days

Free T4 (fT4) 14.8 pmol/L (9 - 19) 58.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 3.7 pmol/L (3 - 5.4) 29.2%

100 every day

Free T4 (fT4) 15.8 pmol/L (9 - 19) 68.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 4.5 pmol/L (3 - 5.4) 62.5%

T4:T3 Ratio 3.511 

Current thyroid results suggest inadequate dose Levo

Insist on returning to 100mcg daily

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

You need daily vitamin B complex to maintain GOOD folate levels

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In days before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 if last test result serum B12 was below 500 or active B12 (private test) under 70

[Macca1 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for reply. Managed to get an increase but not back to 100 every day. Dr did intimate to me that they ‘couldn’t and wouldn’t over medicate!!’ Also every month the brand of levo especially the 75 gram seems to be different. Excuse is ‘we can only prescribe what we are sent!’ No much help I’m afraid. Anyway will see how I feel after two months of increased dosage. 🤞🤞

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Macca1]

Excuse is ‘we can only prescribe what we are sent!’

GP can and should put named brand on your prescription if it’s necessary for your health

As detailed by Government guidelines

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/l...

If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient.

Then Pharmacy MUST supply the named brand (and they will get adequate recompense for it from government)

[Macca1 in reply to SlowDragon]

Wow. That is very interesting. I suspect they'll say 'what are the side effects you are experiencing'. But will certainly bear that in mind when I next request a repeat prescription.